Zen Shape Art

The zen act of coloring is a great tool. Putting all worldly worries out of your conscious and focusing simply on the brush of coloring implement is so therapeutic.

I use this art project with my students at the residential therapeutic program I work at.

All you need is:
Construction paper
Masking or painters tape
And some way of putting color on the paper. Paint and brush, crayons, etc. Just as long as you have many colors to work with.

Place masking tape in all different directions over your construction paper. It doesn't matter where. Go in all directions.

Free your mind of preconceived notions of masking tape direction and uniformity.

Crisscross your tape creating different shapes.

Don't form the shapes consciously. Let the shapes form your conscious.

Use your crayons, paint, markers, cray-pas, or what have you. To color in each shape.

You can go with a color scheme or pick them at random. You can repeat colors or use new colors for each shape.

It does not matter. All that is important is that you color carefully, take your time, and let the coloring bring you into s more Zen state.

Ommm

Carefully remove the tape.

Cease with your "Omm" chanting and admire your work.

If your really want to practice your Zen, tear up the paper and throw it away. To significance of life's impermanence.

After all it is not the destination but the journey that is important. "'Cause how you get there is the worthier part."

This really is a Zen like therapeutic activity. It is great for kids and adults.

I myself have been trying to lead a more Zen lifestyle and arts and crafts and DIY have been a big part of that.